Seeing as how we won most of those, I must have been drunk. However, I am pretty sure some of his better performances were vs Schalke.
He hasn't collected a single scorer point vs Schalke and his kicker ratings vs Schalke also confirm my view on the matter, not to mention that other BVB fans also think that way. Maybe you are confusing his performances vs Bayern in which he did have some fine games but against Schalke he was always at least below average.
BTW Draxler needs some love, he's been huge for Schalke as they've gotten their head out of their ass. At such a young age it's hard not to love his shooting, his intelligence and his technique. Reminds me a lot of Marco Reus, who's one of my favorite NT players right now.
100 appearances for Schalke at the age of 19, never been done before by a Bundesliga player. Now that's just unbelievably impressive.
It is impressive but Draxler is still extremly inconsistent in his performances and defensively a real liability which is why he lost his spot on the wings and was then moved to the AM position. His performances there were recently very good but it doesn't really increase his chances with the NT. Özil, Götze and Kroos are still worlds ahead of him and that's why I think it's a mistake to always nominate him for the A-NT. He should play for the u21, grow there as player and get actual time on the pitch instead of sitting on the bench for the A-NT.
Agree with Leinad, to be honest I don't see the world-class potential in Draxler everyone is raving about. He's been pretty much the same player for around, what, two years now? Good dribbler that has a great shot but lacks consistency. He's a good player, absolutely, but Özil or Götze-level, or even potential to be an Özil or a Götze, absolutely not. Want to talk Schalke's potentially class players? Sead Kolasinac has been tearing it up in the left-back position against two good opponents now, despite playing out of position and having been basically thrown in there and expected to perform, pushing out Fuchs and looking like an experienced old hand veteran while he's at it. Of course he's not quite yet ready at an NT level, and doesn't add a lot offensively from the fullback position, but does anyone see him as a potentially good defensive option at left back for the NT if he keeps this up?
Yea, like every young player, plenty still to learn. Don't think he "lost" his place. He was just moved into a role he is better suited for and needed. He could be a good Holtby replacement for the U-21's as well for the next two years.
It's normal that young players seem to stagnate at a certain level for several years before making a big step forward. We all should show some patience with our young guns. I like your glass ball MS, pls sell it to the DFB.
I thought Reus needed a break after two below par performances. Wouldn't be shocking to C Reus and Gundogan rested in the coming BL matches.
Back after my week off work Draxler is probably my favourite young prospect atm. What he has shown at CAM in recent matches has been quite impressive. We may be loaded at that position at this time, but his defensive awareness can only improve with experience. I see him developing into a versatile player who could fit in anywhere across our front line in the future. Hopefully he gets a roster spot for Brazil, Im sure the extra experience for a player his age would only serve to improve our NT in the long run. Regular U21 playing time would only benefit him as well atm. Don't want to derail the Draxler discussion too much but I realized I never responded to this. I share your view that these two have had successful campaigns so far in the CL. However one really cannot claim that as true for Mueller and Reus without claiming the same for Podolski. It smacks of double standard. And as I mentioned already, it's not about the numbers. Mueller and Poldi both have very good arguments for being the best players on their team in Europe this season, whereas Reus is maybe a distant third for Dortmund so far (4th in my view). So if anything Reus is the odd man out here, and we've even seen him go invisible for a couple matches in this year's CL. Personally I would say all 3 have had successful CL campaigns so far, and I think most viewers would agree with that assessment.
Not entirely related to NT players but Sukuta-Pasu n Marvin Pourie, two highly rated youth NT players in the past have been performing well in Autria and Denmark repsectively. I think their potential is there, its their attitude that left them behind
Gundogan outshines Ozil, Xavi, Ineasta, Pirlo in this week's Champion League competition. Here is Zonal marking analysis http://www.zonalmarking.net/2013/04...nd-create-more-chances-but-fail-to-take-them/
Yea and he got one. I still think he's our most unpredictable player, not just because of his assist but the way he moves and runs is fascinating to watch.
Lukas Podolski the luxury item Arsène Wenger struggles to keep happy http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/apr/14/lukas-podolski-arsene-wenger-arsenal
Well it worked didn't it? Podolski had put in a string of very poor performances for someone who wants to start so often. He came off the bench and made a huge point however, helping that second goal, hitting the crossbar then scoring the 3rd goal of the game. I still think Arsenal need serious reinforcements over the summer, they'll need another striker and a midfielder who can replace the perpetually injured Song. However, if I was Podolski i wouldn't be too excited about my debut season, a decent goalgetter but he's gone missing in nearly every big game for the club.